Clarence Yotes finalize roster before Werner Fricker Cup

Reigning Buffalo & District Soccer League Tehel Cup champions Clarence Yotes will get their first crack at regional cup competition this weekend.

The BDSL representatives kick off their Werner Fricker Cup quarterfinal match against Hammers FC (Metro Washington, DC) at 1 p.m. April 23 at Robinson Secondary School (5035 Sideburn Road, Fairfax, Va.). The other three quarterfinal matches can be found here.

The Yotes and manager David Martinez finalized their cup roster Wednesday, naming an 18-man side that looks remarkably similar to their expected BDSL roster for the coming season.

Fourteen of the players were regulars on Clarence's cup-winning squad, while two key parts - midfielder Chris Berardi and forward Sam Sutherland - are marquee acquisitions heading into this summer. The only guest pieces are brothers Prince and Anthony SaySay (BUSS), who add pace and tenacity to the defense and midfield, respectively.

The Yotes are littered with Canisius College alums, including standout defenders A.C. LaFlore and Ryan Schroen. Speedy wingers Derek Maier and Andrea Conte spread out opposing defenses, while Berardi, J.J. Hughes and Gary Boughton anchor the heart of the midfield. Veteran 'keeper Len Previte brings decades of experience between the pipes.

Andrew Incho, Jose Perez and Sutherland are candidates to start up front.

Clarence's adversaries are the older side by a touch, and they're a bit more diverse. Two players represent Sierra Leone, two are from Honduras and one is from Moldova. Hammers FC has qualified for the last two Werner Fricker Cups, losing in the first round each time.

Ben Tsujimoto – Ben works on the digital side of Gusto, writing mainly about things to do and food-and-drink. He's the editor of The Buffalo News' soccer blog, BN Soccer, and coordinates the Smiles photo galleries. He attended Houghton College, lives off of Hertel and says he smiled a little too aggressively for his profile picture.